Elian Pimentel and Justin Italiano captured All-League to pace the Huntington High School varsity baseball team this past spring. The Blue Devils fielded a young cast of players.
Huntington compiled a 2-18 record under head coach Billy Harris. Luke Eidle, Will Vollack and Pimentel were the 18-player strong team’s captains.
While the team graduated several starting seniors this past June, an exceptional group of young players will be returning to the field.
Pimentel (P/3B/C) and Italiano (P/2B) both turned in solid seasons. “Elian is an all-around good player,” Harris said. “He led the team in hitting and is a very good pitcher.”
Italiano was second on the team in hitting and led in runs scored. “He’s an excellent leadoff hitter,” Harris said.
Pimentel batted .344 with 21 hits, including five doubles and a triple and six runs batted in. Italiano hit .339 with 20 hits and 11 runs scored.
Freshmen Kyle Colleluori (P/CF), Chris Segreti (P/OF/SS) and Aidan Bender (P/SS) and sophomore Jason Mora (SS/OF) were also among Huntington’s top players according to Harris.
“Kyle is an excellent defensive outfielder and a good pitcher,” Harris said. “He has a bright future.” Colleluori collected 10 hits, including a double and a triple and he scored six times. He hurled 17 innings and fanned 11 batters.
Segreti batted .263 and drove in seven runs in just eight games. He through 7.2 innings and walked only three batters. “Chris is a great five tool ballplayer,” Harris said. “He’s going to be a very good pitcher, too.”
Bender tossed a team-high 35 innings and stuck-out 23 batters. As the talented teenager gains more command of his pitches and is able to spot the ball better, he should start dominating opposing lineups. “Aidan is a very good pitcher for his age,” Harris said.
Mora batted .250 with a dozen hits and five RBIs. “Jason is a good hitter and he’s developing into a very good ball player,” Harris said.
A season highlight came when Segreti hit a grand slam against North Babylon’s All-County pitcher. But the continued advancement of the underclassmen had to be the biggest story of the year. “They have competed and done very well at the varsity level,” Harris said.
The Blue Devils are striving to be more competitive next spring. “There is a very good core of young ball players,” Harris said. “The future looks bright. We will have 10 returning varsity ball players next year, including five seniors, a junior and four sophomores.”
Huntington will head into the 2019 season hoping to win its first league title since 1965.
